ost David Oyuke sits down with 8 of the second cohort of new and emerging artists for The Launchpad 2025. In this episode, we get to know Ryan Sheppard.

Ryan Sheppard is an emerging rap artist from Cleveland, Ohio. Pulling sounds from boom bap, electronic, and modern rap, he has created a unique presence in the Athens, Ohio, community. Deeply inspired by Kendrick Lamar and his 2016 Grammy winning album, To Pimp A Butterfly, Ryan finds home in the story, the emotions, and the realness of rap.

We discuss the role his school librarian played in getting him into rap, his witty lyrics, technical flows, and what it means to be a masterclass in authenticity.

Artist info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wTn7o1IdhfXoqHaYcyR8v?si=xXWgVrRLSEOhL0oQHhUgyw

Acknowledgments:

Host, producer and editor - David Oyuke

Intro and outro music - Mike Muema

Videographer - Chris Joecken

Engineers: Avery Appino, Robert Schrembeck.

Special thanks:

Josh Antonuccio

Andie Walla and Team

Rylee Roquemore: Marketing

OHIO MIS Team

Prince Amoa-Mensah: Photographer

Kweku Diaw: Magazine Creative Director

OHIO Music Industry Summit: https://www.ohio.edu/music-industry-summit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohio_mis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohiomusicindustrysummit/

X: https://x.com/ohio_mis

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ohio_mis

Host David Oyuke sits down with 8 of the second cohort of new and emerging artists for The Launchpad 2025. In this episode, we get to know Minus The Alien.

Minus The Alien stems from Akron, Ohio, describing himself as representing the positive side of hip hop. He is a podcaster and producer who mixes passion, unique voice, creative lyrics, catchy hooks, soulful harmonies, and vocal arrangements with conscious subject matter that sonically provide a formula that can be embraced by all ages.

We discuss how he teaches youth about the positive side of hip-hop culture, opening up for legendary hip hop pioneers such as Rakim, Souls of Mischief, Whodini, Slum Village, and Casual. We also talk about his connection to legendary group Gangstarr as well as have a heartfelt conversation on fatherhood and its influences on his artistic direction.

Artist info:

https://onepagelink.com/minusthealien

https://open.spotify.com/album/0kV8axsKzTcCV0F9WQWJoV?si=0Irv9rIOTvSpYRvxDzNXsg

https://youtube.com/@minusthealien?si=4igxW-Izs7yP3Ph7

Acknowledgments:

Host, producer and editor- David Oyuke

Intro and outro music - Mike Muema

Videographer - Chris Joecken

Engineers: Avery Appino, Robert Schrembeck.

Special thanks:

Josh Antonuccio

Andie Walla and Team

Rylee Roquemore: Marketing

OHIO MIS Team

Prince Amoa-Mensah: Photographer

Kweku Diaw: Magazine Creative Director

OHIO Music Industry Summit: https://www.ohio.edu/music-industry-summit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohio_mis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohiomusicindustrysummit/

X: https://x.com/ohio_mis

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ohio_mis

Host David Oyuke sits down with 8 of the second cohort of new and emerging artists for The Launchpad 2025. In this episode, we get to know Vincent Trocchia.

Vincent Trocchia is a Lancaster, Ohio, native with roots in Nashville as a songwriter and creator of Melodic Soul. Born into a musical family, he classifies himself as a musical nerd, intrigued by Dayton and Cincinnati 1970s funk and the works of Eric Clapton.

We discuss his decades of songwriting experience and his recent transition into performance. He vulnerably shares his fears, hopes, and plans for his future as a “late comer”, highlighting the age difference between him and younger, more tech-driven industry professionals today.

Artist info:

Reverbnation.com/vincentroberttrocchia

Acknowledgments:

Host, producer and editor - David Oyuke

Intro and outro music - Mike Muema

Videographer - Chris Joecken

Engineers: Avery Appino, Robert Schrembeck.

Special thanks:

Josh Antonuccio

Andie Walla and Team

Rylee Roquemore: Marketing

OHIO MIS Team

Prince Amoa-Mensah: Photographer

Kweku Diaw: Magazine Creative Director

OHIO Music Industry Summit: https://www.ohio.edu/music-industry-summit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohio_mis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohiomusicindustrysummit/

X: https://x.com/ohio_mis

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ohio_mis